Memphis center Steven Adams needs season-ending knee surgery for short-handed Grizzlies

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Grizzlies center Steven Adams needs season-ending knee surgery, the team announced Sunday.

Adams will have surgery on his right posterior cruciate ligament. Other nonsurgical rehabilitation didn’t resolve the ongoing instability of his knee, the Grizzlies said.

The former Pitt star hurt the knee in late January and missed the remainder of the season, including the playoffs. The 6-foot-11 Adams had been a strong rebounder and defender for the team. He seemed on target to return this season until the surgery announcement.

The Grizzlies already are short-handed without guard Ja Morant — serving a 25-game league suspension for flashing a handgun on social media for the second time in three months — and power forward Brandon Clarke (Achilles tendon).

Adams joined the Grizzlies at the start of the 2021-22 season after one season in New Orleans. He played in Oklahoma City his first seven years in the league. The 30-year-old Adams has averaged 9.2 points and 8.2 rebounds per game in his 10-year career.